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Saturday, November 22, 2014

A Nice Little Knit Tee Top

Last week I had an appointment and didn't have a little top to wear that was really suitable - lots of shirts and t-shirts in t-shirt casual sort of fabric, but nothing t-shirty, stretch top sort of garment in a slightly nicer knit in a nice colour. So this week I decided to make one.

I raided my stash and found another piece of the purple unidentified nice soft knit I found on sale at Spotlight last year - one of their job lots. I'm pretty sure this is mostly viscose - it has a nice feel and handle and is soft and lovely to wear.

I'm still new to sewing knits and am not really sure if I like sewing knits yet. I suspect not, I really like to sew structured garments. Knit garments are useful though, so I am going to persevere with learning how to handle this type of sewing. I think basically you have to forget everything you know about sewing with wovens and adopt a totally different mindset for knit fabrics. You sort of have to flow with them, I think.

Anyway, I used my modified New Look 6216 top - if you are interested in the pattern and the modifications over time, you can find them here.

This version is just a short sleeve shell. I cut a self fabric band, serged all seams and used a zig- zag stitch for the hems of the sleeves and bodice.

The views of the front:

The side - I always find New Look very roomy around the hips and tummy - so this top is a little big around that part, but this doesn't bother me - it is supposed to be a relaxed fit top, and you do see plenty around at the moment with this loose shaping.

And the back:

Although it took time to make the alterations for this pattern, I am glad I did, because this is a useful basis for making more tops - I might take some of the fullness out in due course. Depending on the fabric I choose to use.

Next week I plan to use the remains of this length of fabric and make a second top - there does seem to be a need in my wardrobe. It doesn't bother me if they are the same colour - I like it and it suits me, so why not have lots of tops in it?

34 comments:

I go through phases with knits actually. I have been sewing up a lot just this last week (just haven't blogged them all yet), but I can feel my enthusiasm ebbing away. I think one of the issues is that I find it hard to buy knits for a specific project. I really need to buy them, wash them and then see what the weight and drape is like and what I should do with them. The result of that is though that I have a bunch that I though would make a good skirt (and are skirt colours) actually turn out to be more like good tops, but we shall see ...

I think that with your shape you pull off the relaxed fit very well and with our climate that is a wonderful thing. I do really like the colour as well :-)

Cute top Sarah Liz. I love sewing knits-they are such an integral part of my wardrobe. I have had wonderful success with Kwik Sew knit patterns-the envelope art is always dowdy, and the garment is always a great fit and cute. :-)

I sewed with knits a lot when my kids were small, then went off it for years. Like you, I have been trying again, but with far less success! Your purple top looks very nice, and you obviously know what you are doing (which is more than moi, I might add). The Kwiksew pattern looks like one I would like too. Look forward to seeing it made up.

" I think basically you have to forget everything you know about sewing with wovens and adopt a totally different mindset for knit fabrics. You sort of have to flow with them, I think."

Definitely! Sewing with knits can be rewarding (regarding fit) and tragic (regarding construction). Some knits behave differently than others and it takes practice and experience to know how to handle them. After 10 years of sewing, I'm still learning! I agree with Kathy that New Look, as well as Kwik Sew, are good patterns with which to start.

Nice little tshirt Sarah. Thank you for the comment you left me. I do enjoy teaching and have some wonderful ladies who are very receptive to what I am able to share with them. Guess what our next project is! Sewing with knits! I'll be posting my tips on working with knits at Diana's Sewing Lessons this evening if you're interested. I'm glad to have discovered your blog Sarah. We have our love of sewing in common.

I agree that sewing knits is a completely different thing from sewing woven. I hope you will come to love sewing with knits (I love love knits). I find them quite forgiving even if the fit is not perfect. And they are so comfortable and easy to wear too!

Yes, I am sure once I get the feel of knits I will enjoy sewing them more. It's like any skill - to get basic mastery there is a process of learning and frustration first that is not always enjoyable :)

I'm interested in the comments about frumpy-looking envelopes, yet which comes out and fit great. I'll need to try to see beyond the envelope. I was sorting through my patterns the other day and was fascinated to see that I tended to buy one type of garment from one pattern company, and another from another and so on. Not completely, but it was very striking I've never sewn with a Kwik Sew pattern but do need tops so might try this one as it looks very nice. I'm not experienced in choosing the right knit for the right pattern or even the right pattern for me - but getting there.

About Me

Hello, I'm Sarah Liz, and I am attempting to make my own Sew Style wardrobe. It's taking more time than I thought, but one day I will have a Sew Style wardrobe that is just right. And I blog for pleasure and not for profit. Content of sarahlizsewstyle.blogspot.com is copyright, 2013-2017, All Rights Reserved.